A CONTROVERSIAL medieval fair which prompted a record number of objections to the town hall has been given the go-ahead.

More than 80 Wilmslow residents turned out to a heated licensing committee meeting to strongly oppose the event and a staggering 286 expressed their protests in writing.

The event, to be held on July 18-19 at Clay Lane, Wilmslow, has been given the green light to hold up to 4,999 people each day, and the organisers can now stage similar scale gatherings three times a year, but only in summer.

Tensions ran high at the meeting, which had to be reconvened in the main Assembly Room of the town hall to cater for the huge number of residents who turned up to object, with several visitors voicing concerns over traffic, cars sinking in the mud and noise pollution.

David Wood manager of Moor Park sheltered housing on Moor Lane, told the meeting, which lasted five hours, that his residents need regular paramedic care.

He said: "It is a single track lane and vehicles parked on that lane will stop them getting through. We are concerned about noise as our oldest residents are 90 and some have to have their sleep for medical reasons."

GP Louise Tittenshaw of Moor Lane, was concerned about the injuries that may occur. She said: "The knock on effect on patients is quite high from events like the Cheshire Show. I would like the committee to think about that when considering it (the proposal)."

Hairdresser Mary Roberts of Moor Lane was equally concerned. She said: "The proposed fields are drainage fields. The traders’ traffic will pass my lane. Moor Lane is a heavily subscribed lane and we don’t need any more traffic. I’m not that heavy and I sink in that mud."

Organisers, Fred Ford and Karl Eckert, radically altered their plans at the eleventh hour to provide a park and ride system via Knutsford Road bussing fair-goers across to the enclosed site near Clay Lane with walkers using Gore Lane.

This changed their original blueprint of many access points around the site which had enraged residents.

The brains behind the fair, Fred Ford, who claims to have organised events in Dubai and Germany, said: "We want to bring people in touch with their heritage and hold an event that is a little different to stimulate interest in the borough. We want to create an atmosphere so that visitors are part of the scene and not just watching a spectacle."

The 1425 Medieval Fun Weekend will host archery contests, foot jousts, a children’s battle, medieval rules football, a real ale and mead tent, hog roast and music with 70 stewards policing the event along with the Mercian Regiment and a local rugby club, according to Mr Ford.

He said Cheshire Fire Service would provide a tender on site and there would be random baggage checks on the door, a canine toilet area and a Challenge 21 alcohol policy.

But the residents were unmoved. Chris Baguley of Wilmslow said: "The number of people in the room must convey the strength of the objection. Neither Karl Eckert or Fred Ford are residents of the area."

Alderley Edge parish councillor Frank Keegan was also in disagreement. He said: "This proposal is speculative and is a matter of grave concern for local residents."

Brenda Wormley warned against open-ended applications where the orgainsers can hold three events a year in the summer but must return to the licensing committee each time.

She said: "In 1959 an open application was made to remove peat from Lindow bog and that is still going on. People take advantage of open-ended applications."

A concerned young mother’s fears were not assuaged. She said: "How can they guarantee that people won’t come down Cumber Lane? I have a small baby and my friend has twins."

One man even thought the whole thing was done for a bet. Peter Janes of Lindow Fold Drive, said: "On the whole I think it is a highly speculative application and I can only think it is part of a wager. The residents are entitled to a certain amount of peace and tranquillity."

The event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19 at the Yews Farm, Clay Lane, Wilmslow.